Neil Lennon has ‘taken a step back’ on Celtic training pitch

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon has addressed club shareholders at a Celtic Park AGM this lunchtime, discussing both being offered the Hoops and job and his training ground process, The Daily Record report (AGM live blog, 11:56).

Lennon has been giving his view on a range of issues at the club, including his relationship with Head of Football Operations Nick Hammond.

One of the topics he discussed was both his start as permanent manager of the club earlier this year and the way he operates with his coaches at Lennoxtown.

Perhaps with tongue in cheek, he’s admitted he was surprised by the nature of Peter Lawwell’s famous Hampden approach following the Scottish Cup final win over Hearts.

As quoted by The Daily Record report (AGM live blog, 11:56), he said: “I wasn’t expecting the job offer in the showers!

“John [Kennedy] and Damien [Duff] bring energy and intelligence and we’ve all dovetailed brilliantly. Those two do the most of the work on the training pitch. I’ve taken a step back.

“Damien’s work with the wingers is vital.”

Methodical Lennon?

The manager’s comments about taking a step back at Lennoxtown are something of a surprise to me. That’s not in a negative sense, it’s more that I’ve always had a perception of him as a hands-on coaching boss, rather than the methodical type that keeps his distance.

It’s both a sign of his maturity as a Celtic manager and perhaps also a reflection of the coaching qualities that Kennedy and Duff have.

His call out to the former Republic of Ireland international’s work with our wingers is particularly intriguing given the incredible form of James Forrest and Mohamed Elyounoussi this season.

Whatever they’re doing at Lennoxtown is producing excellent results, so hopefully, it doesn’t change anytime soon. As Lennon notes, the trio are working in perfect harmony right now.

It’d be interesting to hear the manager expand on why he’s decided to take a step back from proceedings. Perhaps it’s something that comes up in a press conference or club interview soon.